Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects. These visits will usually be every 6 to 12 months, but some doctors require them more often. Your doctor may also want to check your blood pressure while using this medicine.

Although you are using this medicine to prevent pregnancy, you should know that using this medicine while you are pregnant could harm the unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had a baby within 4 weeks before you start using this medicine.

Tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine before any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment. Your doctor will decide whether you should continue using this medicine.

Norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol transdermal may not work as well for you if you weigh more than 198 pounds. Talk to your doctor about the kind of birth control that is best for you.

Vaginal bleeding of various amounts may occur between your regular menstrual periods during the first 3 months of use. This is sometimes called spotting when slight, or breakthrough bleeding when heavier. If this should occur:

If this should occur, continue with your regular dosing schedule.

The bleeding usually stops within 1 week. Check with your doctor if the bleeding continues for more than 1 week.

If the bleeding continues after you have been using hormonal contraceptives on schedule and for more than 3 months, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor if you miss a menstrual period so that the cause may be determined. Missed periods may occur if you have not used the patch exactly as scheduled or the medicine is not the right strength or type for your needs. You might need a pregnancy test.

If you suspect that you may have become pregnant, stop using this medicine immediately and check with your doctor.

Do not use this medicine if you smoke cigarettes or if you are over 35 years of age. If you smoke while using birth control pills, you increase your risk of having a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke. Your risk is even higher if you are over age 35, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Talk with your doctor about ways to stop smoking. Keep your diabetes under control. Ask your doctor about diet and exercise to control your weight and blood cholesterol level.

You will be exposed to more estrogen if you use this medicine than if you use a typical birth control pill. Increased estrogen exposure may increase the risk of side effects. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

Using this medicine may increase your risk of having blood clotting problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves, difficulty with breathing, a sudden, severe headache, slurred speech, a sudden, unexplained shortness of breath, a sudden unexplained shortness of breath, a sudden loss of coordination, or vision changes while using this medicine.

Check with your doctor immediately if you wear contact lenses or if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Using this medicine may increase your risk of breast cancer or cervical cancer. Talk with your doctor about this risk. Check with your doctor immediately if your experience abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, dark urine or pale stools, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Using this medicine may increase your risk for gallbladder disease. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

Check with your doctor before refilling an old prescription, especially after a pregnancy. You will need another physical examination and your doctor may change your prescription.

Use with caution around small children. The contraceptive patch may be a choking hazard if swallowed by a child.

Make sure any doctor who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests. You may also need to stop using this medicine at least 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after having major surgery.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.